Unit 7: 1869-1896
 Quoted by Mark Twain
 Our society was glittering on the
surface but corrupt underneath.
 A period in our nation’s history
marked by bribery, shady
business practices, corporate
monopolies, scandalous
politicians and exploitation of
the impoverished laborers.
 Some call it the formative period
of modern day America.
 Our society transformed from an
agrarian society to an
industrialized society led by
large corporations.
 America’s “rebuilding”
years.
 Ulysses S. Grant,
Rutherford B. Hayes,
Chester Arthur, Benjamin
Harrison, and Grover
Cleveland are sometimes
referred to as the
“forgotten Presidents”.
 Why?
 All of the
administrations of these
Presidents was marked
by issues regarding the
tariff, currency issues,
and labor unrest.
 Over-speculation of
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railroads, mines, factories,
and grain fields all funded
by loans.
When the profits didn’t
come in the loans couldn’t
be paid off.
Banks failed.
15,000 businesses failed
after people lost their life
savings.
Home foreclosures.
Sound familiar?....(think:
2008)
 Compromise of 1877
 During election of 1876
 Rep. Rutherford B. Hayes
vs. Dem. Samuel Tilden
 Election comes down to
final 4 southern states.
 Both Republican and
Democratic reps sent to
collect votes in those
states.
 Whose vote counts would
be official?
 Electoral Commission
created to oversee the
results.
 Fla. results examined and
8-7 in favor of Hayes.
 Dems agree to give Hayes
the Presidency in return
the Republicans in
Congress will stop
meddling in southern
affairs. (racial equality)
 With the Republicans out
of the way the Democrats
retain control over the
south.
 Many African-Americans
in the south were poor
sharecroppers who
basically paid rent to farm
on the land. They also gave
a portion of their harvest to
local shops who provided
them with supplies and
feed.
A 13 year old sharecropper tends
his field.
 Jim Crow was an attempt to
demonstrate the perceived
inferiority of the Black race at this
time.
 Originated in 1830.
 A white “minstrel” (traveling
performer) named Thomas Rice
would blacken his face with a burnt
cork and danced to the song “Jump
Jim Crow” during theatrical
performances.
 It is believed that Rice had
previously owned a slave which was
the inspiration for his act.
 Jim Crow laws made
segregation legal.
 Intended to keep
African-Americans at a
second to whites in
status in all areas.
 These laws included
literacy requirements
and poll taxes in order to
vote. (loophole to the 15th
amendment)
 “Separate but equal”
doctrine
 This Supreme Court Case
made Jim Crow laws legal.
 Schools, public facilities,
railroad cars, theaters,
restrooms, etc….
 Lynching was also
practiced widely
throughout the south for
those who protested Jim
Crow. Mostly in 1890’s.
 1880: 75,000 Chinese
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immigrate to California
Mainly to work in gold
mining and on the
Transcontinental RR
Irish-Americans hate the
Chinese due to labor
competition.
Violence and discrimination
are common.
Chinese Exclusion Act: 1882
 Prohibits all immigration of
the Chinese into the United
States
 Elected in 1880, James A. Garfield, is
assassinated by Charles Guiteau at a
railroad station.
 Politicians across the board agreed
that change was needed to get away
from the spoils system.
 Pendleton Act of 1883
 Compulsory campaign
contributions from Fed.
Employees is illegal.
 Civil Service Commission makes it
mandatory for Federal
appointments to jobs to undergo
strict competitive examination.
 Politicians now begin to buddy-up
with big-business leaders to raise
funds for campaigns.
 Ex. Donald Trump in 2012 for
Republicans.
 Benjamin Harrison wins
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the election of 1888.
Passes the McKinley Tariff
in 1890.
Raises tariff to 48.4% (2nd
highest ever)
Impoverished farmers are
forced to buy their goods
from the high-priced
industrialists
The same big-dogs who
provide the campaign
funds for the politicians to
run for President.
 Leads to the creation of the
Populist Party.
 The People’s Party
 Mainly farmers from the West
and South
 Platform:
 More money in circulation,
graduated income tax,
government ownership of RR,
telegraph, and telephone,
direct election of senators, 1
term limit for Presidents,
adoption of initiative and
referendum (giving people
more say on legislation),
shorter work day, and tighter
immigration restrictions.
 Nominated James Weaver in the
1892 election.